Netizens called for boycott of Sakae Sushi after $3,000 dishwasher fiasco

Singapore netizens have called for the boycott of home-grown local Japanese restaurant chain Sakae Sushi following the $3,000 dishwasher fiasco.

During an interview with state-controlled radio station UFM 100.3 last Friday, Sakae Sushi CEO Mr Douglas Foo complained that he was unable to find any dishwashers despite a salary offer of $3,000 a month.

According to him, they are required to work 9 hours daily on a five and a half day work week.

However, when job-seekers called up Sakae Sushi to inquire about the job opening, they were told that they are required to work 12 hours daily, six days a week.

Mr Foo later said that his statement made at UFM 100.3 has been ‘taken out of context’.

In a latest update on its Facebook page, Sakae Sushi admitted that they are indeed hiring dishwashers, but they will only disclose the specific terms and conditions to ‘serious applicants’:

“In terms of disclosing the exact details of the role, we would like to disclose only to serious applicants whom we engage in the interview itself. This is to respect the privacy of our future colleagues as some may not welcome the unwanted attention and on this, we seek your kind understanding.”

Angry netizens who felt ‘conned’ by Sakae Sushi have now called for a boycott of the restaurant chain.

Some comments from Hardwarezone forumers:

“What the boss of this restaurant did is so shameful. He went to say there are no Singaporean takers for a $3000 a month dishwasher job wiping dirt off dishes before putting it into the dishwasher. This gave the impression that lowly skilled Singaporeans are fussy workers demanding too much pay…..It turned out this is a 72 hours 6 days a week job. Given 44 hours a week is the MOM legal work week, it means the worker is suppose to perform a whopping 28 hours of OT with one day of rest per week. This is $10 per hour wage lower than the lowest minimum wage in Australia, USA, etc. It is hardship money. Even if I have money I’ll never eat at this SAKAE SUSHI.” – burrito

“I ate it once in my life and stopped. Its a pathetic sad excuse for food. OMG, i rather eat tree bark than sakae.” – tremor

“I’m already boycotting that ****ty restaurant damn long time ago. That piece of **** shouldn’t be called Japanese restaurant at all.” – kingsfall

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

This entry was posted on September 14, 2012 at 8:51 pm and is filed under News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

91 Responses to “Netizens called for boycott of Sakae Sushi after $3,000 dishwasher fiasco”

Seth Chensaid

Populistsaid

What sue. Sue your grandmother lah. There is a letter of employment for you to sign before you commence employment. It is based on a willing buyer and willing seller basis. After signing if you find that the job is tough, you then said people ill treat you. What logic are you talking lah

Jennysaid

welovesingaporesaid

Unscrupulous employer putting up a hypocrisy front. Capitalism at the greed level. Eating raw machine prepared japanese sushi is not cuisine Food. Japan culture and hyper inflation is copied to oversea restraurant. SS has expanded so fast because material/worker cost is cheap but they charge at hyper price. SS business model is to let people sit like animal to be fed along conveyor belt system. Real Japanese restaurant do not use conveyor belt system to serve their customer and prepare the food on the spot to ensure its real freshness. Don’t be con by SS short cuts.

NaBeysaid

Vicsaid

What is this Douglas Foo up to? I hear all the times small time bosses like him, crying and lamenting local singaporeans are choosy and fussy about jobs. They just want cheap labour, that’s all.
I believe Iocal singaporeans are not wimpish when it comes to a choice of a decent earning job against unemployed and no income. But, don’t expect them to be foolish to take raw deals. I believe singaporeans shun certain jobs for their own reasons, such as first and foremost, low pays that target foreigners job-seekers, long distance from home, overly demanding overtime or non-paying overtime, unreasonable bosses.

Free Trolleysaid

Ooolaalaaa!said

Ah haaa! There it is! You’ve just proven many right….local workers are choosy…

Too far from home…don’t want! Company got provide transport or not? Don’t expect me to squeeze on the lousy MRT and bus! I’ll consider only if company sent transport to pick me up!

Pay too low…hey I’m a university graduates leh, how can I draw such low pay? No face man! Furthermore I’ve got a high-class lifestyle to maintain, so if the company offers pay even slightly below my expectation, don’t expect me to put in my heart and soul! You pay peanuts, you get monkey, remember?

AND…SORRY! I DON’T WORK OT…I’ve got MY life! Company short of man-power? Not my fucking problem! Company can’t get more staff? NOT MY FUCKING PROBLEM!

These are the kind of stuck-up locals I came across while employing! These locals are not only snobbish, they expect damn high from the company but did not bother to put in effort to prove that they are worthy of higher pay! Bad working attitude! HOPELESS!

Jennysaid

So u will work for a low pay and a place far from home? Most of the grads just want their pay to be in the market rate. U are just another fuck up boss who wants all the benefits and profits alone. Ppl like u should die seriously. Waste of oxygen.

Vicsaid

Singaporean job-seekers are no different from other people, when it comes looking for jobs for a living. I believe singaporeans job-seekers are generally reasonable, discerning people, rather than choosy to their own detriment type. They can tell a decent job offers from a raw deal. But, eveything being equal, there are sometimes peculiar circumstance that makes one job unsuitable for one person, yet fit immensely well with one of his peers. For example, a mother of young children particularly appreciates a job at close proximity to her home, even at the expense of lower pay. A person who works in order to finance his ongoing part-time study naturally wants to avoid jobs of frequent overtime. Your caricatures of people citing frivolous excuses to refuse jobs are unreal. These are things for the slapsticks; non-existing in the practical world of the singaporean job-seekers.

Alex Tongsaid

(1) How do you know how tree bark tastes like? Is it woody, barky, fungus-y, or sappy?
(2) Please eat tree bark, record it, and post it here. I would LOVE to see a video of this on The Temasek Times. Heck, I’ll even pay you $3k a month to eat it!

I guess Singaporeans really complain too much, compare those working in Big 4 Auditing what is 120 OT hours per month to them? Ask them does fresh graduate earn 3K? We suffer not just physical stress, we suffered numerous mental stress and think we could go insane any moment.

Tell you what, I graduate from local uni with honors, I willing to work more than 84hrs per week and sometimes shift (coming back on public holidays), I even did job such as digging human faeces and rotten food waste with maggots growing on it for 6months just for my research and I am paid $2,600.

Not only that, I am self-motivated, innovative, proposed idea for superior so that they can save or cut cost and not to mentioned never take MC for past 2 years except for 2 occasions which I am so sick that I can barely moved. I never complain about my job scope and I always try to work more than required. I have class 2 licence, knows how to troubleshoot computer (not to mention to dismantle all the parts and put them tgt), I also do know programming and advance excel and database user as I always use to analysis my data. I can do facilities management, show cleaners how to clean toilet and keep these facilities top conditions, I also carried heavy loads when my cleaners or caretakers are either too old or refuse to do these hard labour job. I can simply tell everyone, I willing to do anything, I don’t see any company willing to pay $4,000 for this kind of graduate.

I basically think nowadays, we have been complaining too much and not willing to put down you degree to the ground and work. I am supporting with Douglas Foo, Sakae Sushi, because at least they mentioned the working hours, unlike some work place we work like dogs and OT everyday without getting OT pay because our basic is more than $2,500…

Lastly, I like to ask my fellow Singaporeans, What do you want or see yourself in the future?

Babusengsaid

spotlessleopardsaid

This guy Douglas Foo is not only a LIAR but also a SLAVE MASTER disguised as a BOSS……Shame on him….I boycotted this Restaurant a long time ago and I continue to do so and encourage all I know to bycott this Restaurant……..The TV stn. has a responsibility to answer why its station aired untruths…Is the Staton in carhoots with Douglas Foo?

Uniquely Singaporesaid

Invictussaid

Maybe MOM should call this con man Foo for a chat on Sakae Sushi’s shady work policy. Shame on on Douglas Foo – painting Singaporeans poorly when you expect people to work slavishly for you.
Boycott Sakae Sushi !!

Kapposaid

Danielsaid

This is obviously part of the ruler’s plan, squeeze the foreign quota for low paying jobs which Singaporeans dont want, so create the environment that Singapore needs foreign workers, but for those good paying jobs which Singaporeans want, is there any quota squeeze ? Many many expats want to come here, good life, good money.

Populistsaid

Salary of low paying job was depressed due to influx of foreign workers. Therefore, controlling the numbers of low paying jobs could actually help to boost productivity and increase the salary of people at the lower end. There is also a cap on number of S pass holders a company could able to employ. The salary scale of employment pass holders has being increasing steadily to ensure only good candidates from recognized university can be admitted into Singapore.

Populistsaid

Singapore Government should ban the influx of construction workers. Probably construction workers could able to climb to S$5000 a month Maybe we should impose national service to all Singaporean to work in the construction industry for 3 days in a month for male /females for age group from 21 to 70 years old

Populistsaid

Higher wages mean higher inflation. If you cut off foreign workers supply, I hope that inflation could shoot through the roof. It is good to see more Singaporean pay for higher cost of living by cutting the supply of foreign labor supply

Vicsaid

I am no economist. so, I am not so sure what you postulate is necessarily true. Somehow, my thought is that cost increase is the result of demand exceeding supply wich came about from the influx of foreigners. So, If you cut off foreign workers supply and send them home, wouldn’t that reduce demand on our limited resources and thus, bring down costs and inflation?

Populistsaid

Higher wages will lead to cost push inflation. Higher demand will lead to demand pull inflation. Are you aware that more than 70% to 80% of construction workers are foreigners. Singaporean simply will not join this 3D industry. (Dangerous, demanding and dirty.). The demand for construction workers are there, if you cut away the supply of foreigner labor, the salary costs will definitely shoot through the roof

Vicsaid

richardsaid

Feel shameful for a boss like him in singapore.Pls not singaporean don’t like to work or lazy.The main problem is they need cheap worker,cheap pay like foreign worker.They make tons of profit from cheap foreign worker now they feel the pain to intake singaporean.Ten years ago singaporean can do the job now cannot this is bull shit.Is the wages problem.Make minimum wages at $2,300 per month complusary see how employer make noise.In singapore cost of rental are very high,COE,ERP this force employer to find cheap foreign worker.

Eddiesaid

Ronsaid

It is against labor laws to have to work 12 hours shift for six days every week. MOM should look into this matter. It is not about pay, it is about being a caring employeer. It amounts to 72 hours of work per week, far beyond the 44 hours under standard time.

Victoriasaid

Dishwashersaid

Another major Thai Village shareholder has changed his mind about selling shares to the sushi chain operator.

‘Popiah king’ Sam Goi yesterday said he will not sell his 4.8 per cent stake in Thai Village.

He said his decision came after communication between Thai Village’s major shareholders and Apex-Pal chief executive (CEO) Douglas Foo had broken down in the six months since the deal was signed.

Still, Apex-Pal appears to be going ahead anyway as it announced that it will hold a special shareholders’ meeting on July 23 to vote on its offer.

‘I have called him more than 20 times over the past few months but he has not returned any of my calls,’ said Mr Goi, referring to Mr Foo.

‘Mr Lee Tong Soon has called more than 100 times and he has not got any response either,’ added Mr Goi, referring to Thai Village’s managing director. ‘How do you do a deal with a person who never returns your calls?’

过路人said

$3000 a month is a lot for dishwasher but look at the numbers of hours you have to work to make that kind of money!!!
Sorry but I feel Sakae Sushi is a heartless company. Does it ever cross the boss’s mind the physical and mental demand of working 12 hours a day 6 day job?

Small time boss!said

Has it occur to you that there must be a difference in pay according to the amount of responsibility you hold? How much responsibility are there washing dishes? It must be quite a heavy responsibility at least from Sakae’s perspective! Clean hygenic plates and bowl are utmost importance to a restaurant ESP in Singapore! The 3K pay must mean something! A boss can’t expect anything less for that kind of pay he offers right? As for the super long working hours, can somebody provide prove?

Vicsaid

@Vanda Loong. Your idea of splitting the 12 hours-work into 2 nos x 6 hours works at $1,500 each for Singaporeans is a good idea. The only problem is there isn’t this $3,000 dishwasher job to start with. It is just a publicity stunt.

ooooohlaaaalaaaa!said

@过路人 & Vanda Loong High pay naturally comes with heavier responsibility and longer working hours…its only fair right?! You yourself said that $3000 for dishwasher is a lot…Yet you claim that Mr Foo’s Sakae Sushi is a heartless company…mind you…he didn’t force you people to joint right? He offered the high pay to attract people who can take hardship…not any soft sissy and lousy pussy! If I’m the boss of Sakae Sushi, YOU WILL NEVER EVEN MADE IT ON MY LIST FOR CONSIDERATION! You people are just a bunch of jealous good for nothing! Why don’t you set up a company and offer $3000 for someone to wash dishes or mop the floor…Let everyone see how long you can tahan! You people’s FUCKING EGO is super big…in fact bigger than those who are better achieve!

You are the good example of the typical LOUSY SINGAPOREAN!

ooooohlaaaalaaaa!said

Oh yessss I almost forgot…I hope none of the company in Singapore will ever employ people like you…You want high pay but short working hours, no responsibility preferably…You are no different from a leach, except…the leach might offer some therapeutic effect to certain ailments…you…on the other hand…had none to offer!

Seraphimsaid

I agree with Vic, is there a 3k cleaner job in the first place? It does not make sense if they are paying that much to a cleaner when you do the math.

Part timers are normally paid higher if not the same compared to full timers as they do not enjoy the benefits of full timers (No CPF, sick leave, bonus, etc and being called in irregularly). Their part timers are paid 6 dollars on weekdays and 7 dollars on weekends with 3 dollars for food allowance if working more than 8 hours. Unless Sakae Sushi can tell me they are paying their part timer lesser than their perm employees or they are saying TRS is making a false snapshot in the link provided.

So it is possible by working 18 hours a day on weekdays and 12 hours on week ends to hit that quota. Of course, you can attack this calculation stating that it is based on a 28 days working month or maybe that person work a lot more on weekends. So do your own calculation on a 31 days working month or add more working hours during the weekends and you will notice it hardly make any differences. (Maybe 1 hour difference a day, which is still absurd)

From what I see, it is just a marketing strategy with intention to justify the continuous import FT and putting down Singaporeans.

Singaporeansaid

Marksaid

Ah Foo have to eat his own shit now! I cannot respect him & his SS brand anymore. This is the result of our dear papaya govt feeding him with cheap heroin for so long that he can’t innovate anymore, and he has to blame locals for fussy on choosing jobs. Ah Foo, we are not one-eyed dragon nor stupid, please treat your own people with respect; we may be poor but don’t over-promise on one hand & under-deliver on the other.

I Not Stupidsaid

The CEO said he could’nt find S’porean dishwashers even at $3,000pm salary. He gave the impression that S’porean workers are choosy. But 300 people applied for the job as soon as it was reported in ST. It shows what he said was untrue.

He said the job is 9hrs a day 6 days a week. But his Brands & Communications Manager said the work hrs are 10am to 10pm, 12hrs a day 6 days a week. It shows the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.

SS should be more transparent. State clearly the basic salary, allowance (if any), work hrs. How is this $3,000pm arrived at? Instead of hiding behind the excuse “disclose details to serious applicants only”. I guess the basic is low with high overtime work – something they feel ashame to disclose.

I believe SS must be making tons of profit. There is no incentive to increase wages when foreign workers are so easy to come by. Employers are not doing enough to help local workers.

In an earlier comment I wrote that I asked a waitress (Filipina) her pay. She said she was paid $1,200pm on an S-Pass. This is a violation of Employment of Foreign Workers Act.

This is a clear case of a greedy employer and exploitation of workers.

Small time boss!said

You are fucking stupid! Why dun u tell us, how much should you be paid for being a pinoy working on an S-pass as a waitress here in Sg? S$3000 ? Then we might as well relocate to the forest in Borneo Island and employ orang utans!

I Not Stupidsaid

If I am fucking stupid, you must be a fucking idiot. You breath fire and talk through your dirty arse. You are fucking toxic. Why asked me how much I expect to be paid as a Pinoy waitress on an S-Pass? That’s a fucking idiotic question to ask.

With effect from 1 July 2012, the minimum salary of an S-Pass holder is $2,000pm. You pay her $1,200pm.

I guess you make her sign a salary voucher acknowledging she received $2,000pm when in reality she received only $1,200pm? I bet you’ve warn all your S-Pass employee never to admit their salaries are $1,200pm but say $2,000pm if asked.

And do you withhold your foreign workers’ passport?

MOM would like to drink coffee with you. Don’t be fucking rude and cocky, you fucking idiot!

nb lasaid

I still remember back then, their red plate is 4.95 for 4 pieces of whatever sushi. then they say red plate offer at 3.95 but became 3 piece. anyone who know maths know u are undercharged liao. it is not offer when u reduce price AND quantity at same time. in fact, it got more expensive.

screw the frog… listed company as apex or something. What’s the owner’s full name? Douglas Foo Ling You?

Small time boss!said

You still need to wonder why SS still got Q nowadays?! Let me tell you…BECAUSE NOT ALL SINGAPOREANS ARE AS NARROW-MINDED AND JEALOUS LIKE YOU! Many are still willing to support local business! We’re all Singaporeans man! Shouldn’t you be supporting your own fellow Singaporeans? Or you would rather support one that’s owned by the Bloody Japanese?

Seraphimsaid

Small Time Boss!, it seems you are either affiliated with Sakae Sushi or you are a crazy fan of it. I noticed the comments you made are filled with emotion rather than reasoning. and don’t try to play the nationalism card when the country is not taking care of their own countrymen.

Isn’t it normal to go to go for the store that gives a better offer? Blame the store itself if it cannot produce better offers than the other store. If Edo Sushi can do it, why can’t Sakae Sushi?

edsaid

Singapuraboisaid

Yes stop supporting sakae sushi. There u go about unreasonable employers who twist the facts around and blame locals for being fussy. These rogue employers come up with truly unreasonable terms and conditions and expect people to take the bull. Hope the boycott will be a success. Let’s stand united as a nation and send the message to them that they can’t treat us with such indignity and also send a message to MOM to wake up.

Glass cleaner, aerosol, and other similar chemicals should not be applied on any portion of the device.

If you’ve got one, planning to get one, will get one or think that it’s going
to be in that box under your Christmas tree, then you absolutely
must know what accessories are perfect to go with it.
Veteran bookbinders know how to intermingle
different raw components including fabrics and hardboards into a
full form of beautiful shields available in attractive designs and colors of
red, magenta, green, orange, etc.

Long lasting batteries are also very common
and they allow the user to continue typing even
long after the electric connection has been cut.
s clever too, as it not only attaches to the i –
Pad 2 using magnets, but uses one to activate and deactivate the screen when
the cover is opened or closed too. Given its price and value, it is without a
doubt that we would surely care for it as if it were our own child.